During the same week conservative radio shock jock Rush Limbaugh fumbled the ball, by dissin' Philadelphia Eagles, Pro-Bowl Quarterback Donovan McNabb, something else of major importance happened in the NFL with hardly any fanfare. It seems that the news hasn't made it out this part of town yet but early this week a US judge ruled that the "Redskins" nickname was not offensive. I am a District of Columbia /metro area transplant but I never call our local team the "Redskins" because it's more than just a bad name. It's the combination of a bad name and a bad image. It is so obvious too many of us that we can\t understand how others don't see what we see.

In Ashburn, Virginia a Judge ruled that the Washington Redskins could keep their name and logo as a judge reversed an earlier finding that the trademarks disparaged Native Americans. US District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly ruled that the findings of the US Trial Trademark and Appeals Board, which held that the trademark may be disparaging, "is unsupported by SUBSTANTIAL evidence, is logically flawed and fails to apply the correct legal standard to its own finding of facts," according to a statement released by the National Football League team.

In an 84-page opinion, Judge Kollar-Kotelly also noted that the 25-year delay in pursuing the challenge to the Redskins name was unreasonable and precluded consideration of the case. I guess that means activist have about 20 years to stop our fellow brethren from calling each other Nigger, Hoe, etc because the last 5 years have been going strong. If it reaches 25 years of offensiveness without anything happening I might as well change my name to "Spic Papi".

She concurred with the argument brought by the team, which has had the nickname since 1933. The franchise was formed as the Boston Braves in 1932, changed nicknames the following year and moved to Washington in 1937. "We are pleased with the judge's finding," Redskins owner Daniel Snyder said in a statement. "This team has always treated its name and trademarks with the utmost respect, and our fans worldwide understand and acknowledge the tradition of the Washington Redskins." What about your Native American fans? The overwhelming majority of them feel the name is offensive.

Go to a Washington game and you will see the history section of the team's media guide excerpts a portion of the book, "America's Fascinating Indian Heritage," which reads, "The term redskin, applied by Europeans to Algonquians in general and the Delawares in particular, was inspired not by their natural complexion but by their fondness for vermilion makeup, concocted from fat mixed with berry juice and minerals that provided the desired color. The judge focused on arguments of linguistics and a survey brought by the complainants that attempted to show the trademarks held Native Americans in disrepute. She found "the survey did not test the participants' view of the term 'redskins' in the context of (the team's) services."

Also, she believed the survey was flawed because "it focused on the general public and thus inferred that the Native Americans would simply agree with those views." However, the surveys say they do agree to its offensiveness. At the same time the minority of richer more high profile Native Americans opinions don't necessarily reflect the majority opinion of the terms offensiveness. This minority might sometimes agree with these political issues but they also may not. Despite the obvious, which is there is a relatively small population that identifies itself as Native American in the U.S., and that much of this population has a "suspect" Native American heritage/lineage and can be mistaken for looking more like the group that oppressed them and stole their land. The financially well off subgroup of this already small group wields some influence on Native American issues. This is usually the case with most ethnic groups. The ones with big money won't say anything because they fear it might mess up their income flow but at the same time they have the power to project a Native American apathy and passiveness that is not reflective of the masses. It is like witnessing a group of Native American Bob Johnson's. Most African Americans would find that if they leave America and visit another country, those people in that country would talk to them about rap and talk to them in stereotypical slang after exchanging greetings, even if you're wearing a suit. That's mainly because BET is the one consistent global reference for and alleged to be about African-Americans. This Billionaire's control and influence over the images doesn't really reflect African-Americans heritage or lifestyle. As somebody once said, "just imagine if MTV was the only station white people had and owned. Imagine how we might view them differently if MTV was primarily disseminating their image". I say all of this to say there is really a consensus by Native Americans that the name Redskins is offensive but they can't control their message and they are probably tired of fighting against all these issues. They probably feel that since they don't own much, it's out of their control and to many of them nobody else seems to care much.

African-Americans and even many Hispanics don't realize it but they are pretty much in the same boat. Yes indeed, usually the tabloid press also called the media determines what topics are going to get focused on. As Gumby said to me "how is it that something Rush said Sunday receives so much front page media coverage Wednesday". It was only talked about in whispers at first it appears, until Presidential candidates like Howard Dean and Wesley Clark stepped up and said he should be fired, that this issue really took off. It was an absurd opinion to say "the liberal media wants Donovan McNabb to do well because he is Black" but the NFL has serious pressing matters that deserve this type of attention, such as lack of employment for African-American Coaches and managers. If black players make up 70% of the NFL teams why are they not allowed to make the transition over into real NFL jobs that are not as physical and have staying power. Jobs as coach, General Manager, player personnel analyst etc. When ESPN replaced Sterling Sharpe for racial provocateur Rush Limbaugh the real outrage took place with me not on September 28th of Week 4.

Nowadays media is asking everybody about the pill-popping conservative who was Player Hater of the month for September. Look at a few of the people they have asked. All Pro QB, Steve McNair, Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells , Washington coach Steve Spurrier and Washington linebacker LaVar Arrington who said. "Rush needs to stay in his area of expertise because clearly he's out it. That's one of the most asinine comments a person can make. It shows his IQ level in football." Who is Rush Limbaugh to make a statement like that. All these people are great players and coaches with valued opinions that stated that Limbaugh was full of shit. It should not stop here, though they should open up the media to athletes and coaches on serious matters in the NFL. By all means continue to stick microphones in the faces of the big name, high profile people but let us ask them different questions. Let us ask if US District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly's ruling on the name Redskin not being offensive is fair or legitimate? Let's ask them what they think about the lack of hiring opportunities by the NFL after they can't run, jump, dodge. or tackle. I would like to see what they say. That would hold my attention but this fake political media circus is annoying to me.

ESPN knew before hiring Limbaugh that the audience was not the usual angry white male audience he would speak to, well at least not angry when they are being entertained by Blacks on Sunday in America's most popular and unique sport. Not angry when their team is winning. You think ESPN didn't know about Limbaugh' s other intolerant efforts.

You think ESPN didn't know that previously, in response to a white caller arguing that black people need to be heard, Limbaugh responded: "They are 12 percent of the population. Who the hell cares? You think ESPN was unaware that another time in response to a Black caller he told them "Take that Bone out of your Nose and call me back!" Stop being naïve people ESPN knew, they also know their network has the "blackest styled team" of commentators. They have "Hip-hop homeboys" like Stewart Scott and Michael Irvin who report sporting news to viewers in slang and Ebonics (in the case of Irvin). Many viewers love it but the bold style also makes it appear as if we are taking over the airwaves. Scott and Irvin are refreshing because they are a new breed of announcers. That both Black and White people are checking for. "Their pride is not to be a white man in a black skin, but to inject some black blood, some black intelligence into the pallid mainstream of American life, culturally, socially, psychologically and philosophically." They do a much better job at conveying their points to America without the nonsense like Ex-ESPN commentator Limbaugh. Limbaugh also believes McNabb is overpaid since last year McNabb replaced Drew Bledsoe as the highest paid NFL player when he agreed to the richest contract in NFL history: $115 million over 12 years, with more than $20 million in bonus money.

Ironically Limbaugh is undeservedly the highest paid commentator in America. In July 2001 he signed a 9 figure deal, yes you read right. His 35 million dollar signing bonus. Is more than both Irvin and Scott total contract although the duo along with Berman have thrust ESPN into the #1 ratings slot. Generating billions

Listen people (something the partially deaf Limbaugh can't always do). Limbaugh got the job because he committed those zany and intolerant acts. The real issue is that it is part of the norm for unqualified whites like Limbaugh to get high paying, high profile jobs even if the resume does not support such a hire. The dismissal of the Redskin name change lawsuit by the judge and the hire of Limbaugh the bigot are proof that racial bias and neglect are not real concerns in the NFL.

On the other hand QB is a leadership position, and QB's like Donovan earn those few slots and accolades. Rush is gone from ESPN but this won't be the last of him or his ilk. The Limbaugh 's of America will consistently be given mainstream air time. Don't forget his creed, "I shall not retire until all Americans agree with me," is still operative. So we all can keep reacting to the inevitable issues but as long as the NFL is majority African-American players but dominated in all key economic areas of hiring and decision making by whites, as long as teams in chocolate cities like Washington, D.C. are ok calling people "Redskins", we are bound to keep missing the real NFL woes.

For more on Rush Limbaugh check out The Way Things Aren't: Rush Limbaugh's Reign of Error written for FAIR by Steve Rendall, Jim Naureckas, Jeff Cohen

Released: October 5th, 2003

The views and opinions expressed herein by the author do not necessarily represent the opinions or position of Playahata.com.